Latest Stories
Most recently published stories in Longevity.
Gluten Myths People Still Believe
For most people, a life without warm bread and starchy pasta is a kind of unimaginable hell. I harbor deep sympathies for those diagnosed with the three conditions that require strict avoidance of gluten (the proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley that give bread that heavenly elastic quality we’ve come to love). If you’re not one of those people who has been told my a certified health professional that gluten is slowly killing you from the inside out, but have instead chosen to jump on the gluten-free bandwagon by choice, I hate to break it to you, but your deprivation (probably) isn’t doing you any good.
By Alysha DePerna8 years ago in Longevity
Herb Magic
Think of Halloween and what comes to mind? Jack O' Lanterns, black cats, witches riding their brooms across a Sana moonlit sky, bats? Not too far-fetched, actually. Many traditions that we use to celebrate the autumn holiday comes from superstitions and the medieval use of herbs and charms to ward off evil spirits used for centuries.
By Jillian Spruce8 years ago in Longevity
Cleaning Tips to Make Your Life Easier
Cleaning is an acquired taste. Some of us find it cathartic; We clean when we are stressed or anxious. Others only clean out of necessity-when the gunk in the toilet takes on a life of its own or the sheets begin to smell like something died in them. Dishes pile up and spill over, the sticky substance on the counters starts spreading down the cabinets... not a pretty picture.
By Banji Ganchrow8 years ago in Longevity
Fresh Asian-Inspired Vegetarian Salads and Slaws You'll Want All to Yourself
Do you go through the Phases of Salad Enjoyment like I do? Here’s how it works. I realize I haven’t eaten a vegetable in two days and I’m like “Who am I? What am I doing with my life?” I get all excited about salads and start making them again. But after a while, salad boredom strikes and I feel like if I see one more tomato or cucumber on my table, I’m going to toss them out the window and watch them splat in vengeful satisfaction. Unfortunately, this leads me back to the part when my diet is sadly lacking in vegetable-rich nutrition. When you, too, reach this unfortunate point, you need something to get you motivated. I suggest Asian-inspired salads like these, fresh, crispy, crunchy, refreshing, spicy, and oh-so-flavorful and textured - just what you need to get you back in the swing of feeling amazing and eating well.
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Longevity
Forget Pokémon Go, Fitocracy is the Fitness RPG Site You Never Knew You Wanted
Has your Pokémon Go gotten up and gone? Are you tired of endlessly hiking the harsh (and occasionally paved) terrain in search of both rare Pokémon and getting swole, but finding neither? Still, if you’re a little geeky and like to combine your workouts with your nerd-outs, Pokémon Go’s the best program for that. Right?
By Anne St. Marie8 years ago in Longevity
Super Delicious Vegan Sandwiches for Fall
Back in college, my BFF Karen’s then-boyfriend, now husband Eric was part of a Sandwich Club. It had only two members: Eric, and his friend Brian. I don’t know why, but for some reason, I pictured this guy as a chubby, sweaty Dungeons and Dragons kind of guy complete with awkward facial hair and zero social skills. Imagine my surprise when I eventually met this “Brian” and he turned out to a strikingly handsome, very funny guy with perfectly rolled up sleeves and high cheekbones. Also my future husband. Uh...who’s awkward now? (The answer is: me, for judging people I don’t even know and then totally eating my words by marrying them.) ANY WAY, the only way you could get into the Sandwich Club was by marriage (or so Eric and Brian said), and that was definitely a plus. I always forget about how healthy and texturally amazing sandwiches can be. They’re the perfect vehicle for all your crispy, crunchy, chewy, creamy, fresh, and flavor-filled favorites. Just shove your favorite edible goodness between two slices of bread (or lettuce, if that’s the way you like it) and mash your face into it. But if you need some sandwich-making confidence or just new ideas, read on for a list of seriously delicious vegan sandwiches that are perfect for fall.
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Longevity
Best Detoxifying Rituals
With each new season comes reflection—including reevaluation of your health and habits. Maybe you’ve thought about improving your overall health by eliminating those toxins accumulated by breathing and eating in an industrialized world. Or maybe you just need to end a weekend of splurging and overeating.
By David McCleary8 years ago in Longevity
Health Foods That Aren’t Actually Healthy
Navigating the dusty isles of the grocery store can be a daunting enough task itself. Combine that with the often overwhelming options of “health foods” that promise to help you lose weight, gain muscle, or generally keep your body in peak condition. While many of these foods do provide nutritious benefits, many provide nothing more than false promises.
By Alysha DePerna8 years ago in Longevity
Probiotic Foods You Need in Your Diet
Do you know all the probiotic foods you need in your diet? Normally the idea of bacteria makes people uncomfortable. We have all of these soaps, wipes, and disinfectants we can stash in our purses and backpacks for the specific purpose of killing bacteria. But anyone who’s sat through an introductory level biology class will remember that we can’t actually kill off all of the bacteria in the world. We need some of it in our intestinal lining to promote healthy digestive processes and keep our lives running smoothly. Frequently, we get ourselves off track in terms of growing healthy bacteria by eating foods that aren’t so great for us, or overloading on antibiotics. Luckily, there are food options out there, probiotic foods, that you need in your diet to help regulate your digestive system.
By James Porterson8 years ago in Longevity
Cruelty-Free Ways to Care For Your Skin That Will Make You Feel Like a Goddess
When you’re slathering, rubbing, or scrubbing something onto your skin, you want to know what it’s made of and where it comes from. Many supposedly “all-natural” and “organic” options have a long list of questionable ingredients or can’t prove anything about their suppliers and their testing process. The following five brands stand ahead of the competition in their quality, their transparency, and their committment to cruelty-free, truly natural ways to care for your skin. Find your favorite (or a mix of them all) to feel refreshed, relaxed, and kind to the earth.
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Longevity
How the Wisdom of Confucius Can Help You Be Less of a Jerk
I’m sure you’re a pretty nice person. I like to think that I am too. But sometimes I let myself justify getting pretty snippy with the customer service rep - like it’s her fault that Comcast is stupid. Other times I find myself muttering under my breath when my kids eat graham crackers in my unmade bed, or I let a friend’s Facebook post piss me off for the rest of the day. Nobody’s perfect, but if you feel your inner Hulk bursting out in a rage every time the wind doesn’t blow your way, it might be time to try walking a more peaceful path. Let the Great Sage (aka Confucius) help you get there. He’s famous for little snippets of wisdom that can sound like they came out of a fortune cookie - until you look deeper. Sometimes a simple phrase can help you see things differently and make keeping your cool a little easier. Feel free to scrawl any of these on a post-it note or make them the background on your lock screen. If they really change your life, they might even make it onto a canvas you can look at every night as you fall asleep. Hopefully, you’ll be sleeping more peacefully when you’re treating others in a way that makes you both feel great.
By Sarah Quinn8 years ago in Longevity